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Council approves two City Hall change orders, tables abatement request for contractor explanation
Summary
The council approved change orders 1 and 3 for the City Hall remodel totaling $500,032 and unanimously tabled change order 2 — an environmental testing and abatement request of approximately $293,000 — pending contractor explanation.
The Waxahachie City Council approved two change orders for the City Hall remodel and construction project totaling $500,032 and tabled a third change order — for environmental testing and abatement — to allow the contractor to explain why the work and cost were not included in the original bid.
Dustin Dill presented three change orders that together total $793,511, saying change order 1 covers unforeseen structural conditions and an early release package for long‑lead mechanical equipment, change order 2 covers environmental testing and abatement for the historical 1911 building, and change order 3 covers additional underground work including electrical, plumbing, concrete and drainage tie-ins. Staff said discovery of unknown conditions was anticipated and that the requested changes were within the approved project budget.
Several council members pressed the contractor’s absence and asked why abatement work that appears tied to a 1911 structure was not identified in the original bid. One council member said the abatement request “came out of the clear blue” and asked the contractor to be present to justify the $293,000 figure; no contractor representative was present. Another council member asked whether the scope of work changed (for example, removing floors or walls) to trigger abatement; staff said additional selective demolition and further testing revealed more asbestos, lead paint and other materials than initially identified and that the $293,000 figure represented a top‑end estimate if all identified remediation were required.
Council modified the agenda to separate the three items, then voted to approve change orders 1 and 3 in a combined amount of $500,032 and to table change order 2 for later consideration. Staff was directed to have the contractor meet with city staff to explain the abatement estimate before the council considers change order 2. No final authorization for abatement work was made at the meeting.
